NORTH YARMOUTH, Maine — A barn fire reported early Monday morning claimed the lives of many farm animals, according to Portland’s ABC affiliate, WMTW-TV.

The fire destroyed a barn at 140 West Pownal Road.

North Yarmouth Deputy Fire Chief Harold Stoddard told WMTW that the barn housed nearly three dozen sheep and 500 chickens. No estimate on the number of animals killed in the fire was immediately available.

Stoddard said he does not know the cause of the fire and the Maine fire marshal’s office will investigate.